Universal aviators oxygen breathing mask



June -3, 1958 A. BLOOM ETAL- UNIVERSAL AVIATORS OXYGEN BREATHING MASK Filed July 6, 1955 INVENTOR. 64?

United States Patent ce UNIVERSAL AVIATOVIRS OXYGEN BREATHING a ASK 7 The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

The present invention relates to an improved oxygen breathing mask.

The various types of breathing masks generally available have been found to be bulky, cumbersome, and uncomfortable on a wearers face. Usually a molded rubber face piece of considerable extent is provided for fitting various facial configurations. In practice, prior art masks require considerabletensioning in order to provide a leak proof seal. This condition induces pressure points on the face such that after prolonged use extreme discomfort is evidenced. Further, in applying suspension members to prior art devices, the nature of distorting rubber makes it impossible to predict the distribution of the suspension forces to the sealing surface thereby inducing an improper seal.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a more comfortable oxygen breathing mask for prolonged periods of use.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mask which is suitable for universal sizing.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mask having improved visibility characteristics.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a simplified, light, inexpensive mask.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is an illustration in perspective of the mask, and

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the mask.

As viewed in the drawing, the mask is constructed of a rigid plastic body member 1. The lower central portion 2 of body member 1 is substantially flat for the reception of a valve piece 3. The remaining portion 4 of body member 1 is generally frustro conical in shape; however, the upper forward surface 5 of said remaining portion 4 has a relatively small radius in order to accommodate the nose of the wearer. Truncated edge 6 of the remaining portion merges with the integrally formed lower central fiat portion 2. Base edge 7 of the remaining portion is shaped in accordance with the current anthropometric dimensions of the 90 percentile man. Rigid body member 1 is formed as a single size for all subjects.

A sized face piece 8 is provided to suit the individual. Face piece laminate 8 is molded from a unicellular sponge material. One edge 9 of face piece 8 is shaped in accordance with the anthropometric data of variations from the 90 percentile. In practice, edge 9 is formed in approximately twenty difierent sizes. Each individual may select the face piece which most nearly fits his face. Or, if desired, a custom made face piece 8 may be manuface piece 8 is formed in-accordance with the anthropometric dimensions of the percentile man. Edge portion 10 matches edge 7 of body member 1, and is attached thereto by a suitable adhesive. It is to be appreciated that'the size of face piece 8 is relatively thin and small ascompared with those of prior art devices. This decrease in size is achieved because rigid portion 4 is formed in accordance with the current anthropometric dimensions of the 90 percentile.

A combination inhalation exhalation valve 11 is fixed to body member 1. As viewed in Figure l, rigid support projections 12 and 13 extend from valve piece 11. Flexible support members 14 and 15 are connected to projection 12 and 13, respectively for supporting the mask on the face of an individual.

As Worn, the upper portion of the mask face piece seal will contact approximately the middle of the wearers nose, the face piece will curve gently into sealing contact with the wearers cheeks, and the lower portion of the mask will be approximately centrally located between the chin andlips of the wearer.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It. is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A mask comprising a relatively rigid molded plastic body member, the lower central portion of said body member being substantially flat for the reception of a valve piece and the remaining portion of said body member partaking the general curved shape of a truncated cone having a truncated edge and a base edge, the truncated edge being generally flat so as to merge with the integrally formed lower central flat portion, a sized relatively flexible face piece having first and second edge portions, said first edge portion of said face piece being attached to the base edge of said body member by an adhesive, said second edge portion of said face piece being sized to fit the face of a particular individual, a valve piece fixed to said fiat lower central portion of said body member, two rigid support projections fixed to said valve memher, and flexible support and tensioning members fixed to each of said projections for supporting said mask on the individuals face.

2. A mask comprising a relatively rigid molded plastic body member, the lower central portion of said body member being substantially flat for the reception of a valve piece and the remaining portion of said body member partaking the general curved shape of a truncated cone having a truncated edge and a base edge, a sized relatively flexible face piece having edge portions thereon, one said edge portion of said face piece being attached to the base edge of said body member by an adhesive, another edge portion of said face piece being sized to fit the face of a particular individual, a valve piece fixed to said flat lower central portion of said body member, and two rigid support projections fixed to said valve member.

3. A mask comprising a relatively rigid molded plastic body member, the lower central portion of said body member being substantially flat for the reception of a valve piece and the remaining portion of said body member partaking the general curved shape of a truncated cone having a truncated edge and a base edge, a sized relatively flexible face piece provided with a plurality of edge portions, one edge portion of said face piece being attached to the base edge of said body member by an adhesive, another edge portion of said face piece being sized to fit the face of a particular individual, a valve piece fixed to said flat lower central portion of said body member, two rigid support projections fixed to said valve 3 member, and flexible support and tensioning members fixed to each of said projections for supporting said mask on the individuals face. i.

4. A mask comprising a relatively rigid molded plastic body member, the lower central portion of said body member being substantially flat for the reception of a valve piece and the remaining portion of said body member partaking the general curved shape of a-truncated cone having a truncated edge and a base edge, a sized relatively flexible face piece having edge portions thereon, one said edge portion of said face piece being attached 5 two rigid support projections fixed to said valve member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bierman f July 6, 1948 2,540,567 Bennett Feb. 6, 1951 

